Thank you! Love this breakdown from a next level filmmaker like you. Regarding luggage, I am always shocked how many filmmakers are not using a media pass with their airline costs.
It is strange people wouldn’t use media rates! I know some airlines make it harder than others, but at least with Delta, traveling with gear really isn’t that difficult.
Great content as always. I do a great deal of domestic/international travel. Safe packing is always a hassle. Thankfully in thirty years of filming no damage or theft. Matt, have you considered the Pelican Air cases? They've become my go to for airline travel. Keep up the great work. The channel is fantastic.
Thanks for your comment! I’ve looked at the Pelican Air cases, but haven’t invested since I already have some many original cases. It’s nice to save the weight, but otherwise capacity is equivalent so I’ve figured out how to make it work for me. And with media rates for gear, I wouldn’t want to take a case over 100lbs anyways!!
Check out my video on my interview lighting package. If I need to bring it all with me, this is basically what comes with! ruclips.net/video/rPutY1PS5XE/видео.htmlsi=wAoFY79LoVkcDScc
Good stuff Matt. Your shoulder go bag is a great tip. When jumping from place to place its great to have a catch all. I use one of those "big mouth" tool bags. Some fold flat and I can hang it from a stand or a fence with a hero clip. I'm always trying to find news ways to stay organized and streamlined. Thanks for sharing.
So, this is a scenario where a PA is traveling as well if you have no cart? 2 carry on, 4 checked? If not, that's a long train of piggy-backed bags to the shuttle/rental place.
Actually, no PA flying with or at my departure city. I do have someone pick me up at the airport when I land, but can fit everything on an airport luggage cart, or get a Skycap if not parking at the terminal.
Thanks! When it comes to equipment insurance, it's very dependent on what you're looking for. The main thing is getting an Inland Marine policy that covers your items beyond a typical rider to your homeowner's insurance. Things to look for are international coverage, theft from cars, third-party locations (storage, production offices, set location, etc). Policies that focus on film equipment specifically can have nice add ons like issuing certificates of insurance for short-term rentals, rental coverage in the event of theft / damage, coverage for renting your gear through sites like Sharegrid (requires special insurance coverage!), General Liability, Workers Comp, etc. If you're looking for a solid, legit policy for camera equipment, I would look no further than Taylor & Taylor or TCP. They can be pricey, but you are very well taken care. Hope that helps!
I use both regularly, but if I need to rely on one over another, I’ll choose the wider one, but with the FF back. That turns it into a 22-60 T3, and can shoot wide to med tight, but by switching between S35 & FF on the camera.
Hey Matt, curious if you use sliders? I'm looking into a motorized slider for b-cam interviews. I'm mostly a one-person-band shooting documentary content. Because of this, I'd love something portable and that could be set up in a jiff. Something like the Kessler Cineslider seems ideal, but I've used it before and there are just too many things to set up that I often don't have a ton of time for. Curious if you use any, and what you might recommend, or recommend that I steer clear from. Thanks so much!
Hey, this is a solid question. Sadly, I've found that portable and quick-to-set-up rarely go hand in hand. I've never found a motorized dolly that fits that bill and delivers the kind of movement I want, especially un-monitored. Whenever I have a slider for an interview, it's always a Dana Dolly with an operator. I know its not the answer you're looking for, but sometimes when speed and limited crew is the directive, easier is better.
I recently got a 2 channel USB charger , and its a great insurance pack, very small size ,also found out my Fxlion batts can be charged off my MacBook Pro charger too , even more insurance. Back in the day had a charger not work in rural China , all the best gear but couldn't shoot if no charged batts and no rental . had to take it apart and luckily was fixed , but lesson learnt , don't reply on one charger if your in the middle of no where .
This is great. Especially when you’re traveling to remote areas, you have to be sure to have work arounds for anything issues that might come up. Love the USB charging, as well as bringing a few AC D-Tap chargers. These have saved me as well for charging single batteries if the larger chargers die. Backups are a necessity, especially for the items that have a high-failure rate. Hence my bag of backup cables I always bring!
Great video, curios if you have ever checked a Rockn Roller cart? I am traveling with more pelicans than usual in a few weeks and was thinking of just rolling into the airport with everything on my usual Rockn Roller to keep things easier on myself. I’d assume I could check the cart when folded up with the rest of my kit.
You can certainly check a Rockn Roller and I know people that have, but I'd be worried about it arriving safely - unless you get it wrapped in plastic at the airport. Even then I've heard stories or damaged carts. I honestly feel like it's best to just pay for a Skycap at the departure airport and then have someone pick you up when you land. If you need a cart for the actual shoot, then just rent one locally. This is where the Innovative carts are nice, in that they pack into themselves, keeping them protected, but they aren't cheap...
You're safe with 98WH, as pretty much every security checker knows that law at least , a lot of them don't know the 150WH rule and will want to take them off you. I changed to all 98WH because of that , and it is a lot less stressful .
I would also add: print and laminate the rules from the TSA website and put it in your battery bag. If they question it, you have the answer on the ready. If they give you trouble, ask for their supervisor. It’s happened to me, but I’ve always walked away with my batts (as long as I adhere to the rules).
Thank you! Love this breakdown from a next level filmmaker like you. Regarding luggage, I am always shocked how many filmmakers are not using a media pass with their airline costs.
It is strange people wouldn’t use media rates! I know some airlines make it harder than others, but at least with Delta, traveling with gear really isn’t that difficult.
Great content as always. I do a great deal of domestic/international travel. Safe packing is always a hassle. Thankfully in thirty years of filming no damage or theft. Matt, have you considered the Pelican Air cases? They've become my go to for airline travel. Keep up the great work. The channel is fantastic.
Thanks for your comment! I’ve looked at the Pelican Air cases, but haven’t invested since I already have some many original cases. It’s nice to save the weight, but otherwise capacity is equivalent so I’ve figured out how to make it work for me. And with media rates for gear, I wouldn’t want to take a case over 100lbs anyways!!
Great content dealing with a lot of this. Would love to see what gear you would travel with if you were needing to provide your own lights and grip.
Check out my video on my interview lighting package. If I need to bring it all with me, this is basically what comes with!
ruclips.net/video/rPutY1PS5XE/видео.htmlsi=wAoFY79LoVkcDScc
Good stuff Matt. Your shoulder go bag is a great tip. When jumping from place to place its great to have a catch all. I use one of those "big mouth" tool bags. Some fold flat and I can hang it from a stand or a fence with a hero clip. I'm always trying to find news ways to stay organized and streamlined. Thanks for sharing.
So, this is a scenario where a PA is traveling as well if you have no cart? 2 carry on, 4 checked? If not, that's a long train of piggy-backed bags to the shuttle/rental place.
Actually, no PA flying with or at my departure city. I do have someone pick me up at the airport when I land, but can fit everything on an airport luggage cart, or get a Skycap if not parking at the terminal.
Another class! Thank you for the tips.
My pleasure!
Such a great and useful video, Matt. Thank you. Any insights into insurance? Who do you use? And what are the primary considerations there?
Thanks! When it comes to equipment insurance, it's very dependent on what you're looking for. The main thing is getting an Inland Marine policy that covers your items beyond a typical rider to your homeowner's insurance. Things to look for are international coverage, theft from cars, third-party locations (storage, production offices, set location, etc). Policies that focus on film equipment specifically can have nice add ons like issuing certificates of insurance for short-term rentals, rental coverage in the event of theft / damage, coverage for renting your gear through sites like Sharegrid (requires special insurance coverage!), General Liability, Workers Comp, etc. If you're looking for a solid, legit policy for camera equipment, I would look no further than Taylor & Taylor or TCP. They can be pricey, but you are very well taken care. Hope that helps!
@@matt-porwoll What a thoroughly helpful answer, Matt. Thank you! I'll check out those companies for sure.
Thanks for sharing your best practices! How often do you use one of the EZ’s over the other?
I use both regularly, but if I need to rely on one over another, I’ll choose the wider one, but with the FF back. That turns it into a 22-60 T3, and can shoot wide to med tight, but by switching between S35 & FF on the camera.
Great video. Thank you for sharing. Curious what size camera saddle do you travel with?
Thanks! I have the full-sized CineSaddle.
Hey Matt, curious if you use sliders? I'm looking into a motorized slider for b-cam interviews. I'm mostly a one-person-band shooting documentary content. Because of this, I'd love something portable and that could be set up in a jiff. Something like the Kessler Cineslider seems ideal, but I've used it before and there are just too many things to set up that I often don't have a ton of time for. Curious if you use any, and what you might recommend, or recommend that I steer clear from. Thanks so much!
Hey, this is a solid question. Sadly, I've found that portable and quick-to-set-up rarely go hand in hand. I've never found a motorized dolly that fits that bill and delivers the kind of movement I want, especially un-monitored. Whenever I have a slider for an interview, it's always a Dana Dolly with an operator. I know its not the answer you're looking for, but sometimes when speed and limited crew is the directive, easier is better.
I recently got a 2 channel USB charger , and its a great insurance pack, very small size ,also found out my Fxlion batts can be charged off my MacBook Pro charger too , even more insurance. Back in the day had a charger not work in rural China , all the best gear but couldn't shoot if no charged batts and no rental . had to take it apart and luckily was fixed , but lesson learnt , don't reply on one charger if your in the middle of no where .
This is great. Especially when you’re traveling to remote areas, you have to be sure to have work arounds for anything issues that might come up. Love the USB charging, as well as bringing a few AC D-Tap chargers. These have saved me as well for charging single batteries if the larger chargers die. Backups are a necessity, especially for the items that have a high-failure rate. Hence my bag of backup cables I always bring!
Great video, curios if you have ever checked a Rockn Roller cart? I am traveling with more pelicans than usual in a few weeks and was thinking of just rolling into the airport with everything on my usual Rockn Roller to keep things easier on myself. I’d assume I could check the cart when folded up with the rest of my kit.
You can certainly check a Rockn Roller and I know people that have, but I'd be worried about it arriving safely - unless you get it wrapped in plastic at the airport. Even then I've heard stories or damaged carts. I honestly feel like it's best to just pay for a Skycap at the departure airport and then have someone pick you up when you land. If you need a cart for the actual shoot, then just rent one locally. This is where the Innovative carts are nice, in that they pack into themselves, keeping them protected, but they aren't cheap...
Cool. I was surprised to learn you travel with a limited number of 100+ watt batteries.
Yeah, it’s annoying they limit them… I would love to take more so I can travel with less!
You're safe with 98WH, as pretty much every security checker knows that law at least , a lot of them don't know the 150WH rule and will want to take them off you. I changed to all 98WH because of that , and it is a lot less stressful .
I would also add: print and laminate the rules from the TSA website and put it in your battery bag. If they question it, you have the answer on the ready. If they give you trouble, ask for their supervisor. It’s happened to me, but I’ve always walked away with my batts (as long as I adhere to the rules).
I hope this is not the amount of gear you guys had for Cartel Land 😅
Definitely not :)
Forgot to say thanks for sharing this. Some interesting points came along that I haven't really but too much in practise myself yet.@@matt-porwoll
@GeorgeAtanassov thanks so much! Glad there some helpful tips in there!